Well said Keith....
I lived in Sweden and there are some similarities with Germany. The racism in Sweden is often subtle because the Swedes like to be percieved as progressive and "tolerant". Every time I needed assistance they assumed I was from the Middle East and was systematically treated like a second class citizen even though i paid a huge amount in taxes (40% income alone). Living in Europe has its advantages as you have pointed out but they come at a high cost and I too had private insurance but was funneled into the public system for things such as an MRI and that took 5 months. I do not know how much longer Sweden can sustain its economy where the taxes are so high, there is basically economic heterogeneity with minimal real and obtainable wealth. Those with the most money are either from old money before the push for a true social deomcracy or damn clever/lucky to have a successful start up. Any person who is a professional; lawyers, doctors, engineers etc-are paid less than American standards.
Unless someone has been in a culture or an environment speculation about the realities are best laid to rest because it is to complex and the percieved reality that many have about Europe (Sweden) are often wrong. Many people are enamoured when I say I lived there but they are shocked when I tell them what it was really like.
s
On Sat, Jun 11, 2011 at 5:44 AM, Keith In Köln <keithintampa@gmail.com> wrote:
First, let me start out with a definition, of "Ignorance". When I use the term "ignorance", or "ignorant" I am referring literally to the term, and mean uninformed, unread, misinformed, uncultured, unlearned, etc. I don't mean this term when utilized to be insulting or to be somehow a personal attack upon you, or anyone else.First, I won't get into my personal health care choices, other than to say that I pay for all of my health care here in Germany, I am not covered by the German National Health care, and I can see relatively little to no distinction between costs here and costs in the United States. If anything, I am paying a lot more because of the lousy exchange rates right now.Second, EVERYONE in Germany pays an exorbitant amount of taxes in Germany. The pay here for professionals, for the most part, is far less than what we experience in the United States, and the costs are much higher. A Judge here in Germany makes approximately €4,000.00 to€6,000.00 a month, which is significantly lower than what a judge in the United States would expect. Attorneys are across the board, most are below the American expectation, but there are a number of exceptions.Public servants are paid like American Public Servants were paid prior to the latter part of the 1970s and 1980s; which is to say, significantly lower remuneration as compared to their privately employed counterparts. The trade off, much like it used to be in the United States, is that they receive an excellent personal compensatory package; e.g.; good paid vacations, good retirement; a lot of paid days off; free socialized medicine health care, (which will kill them) etc.The distinction between the public service American counterparts, is that today, in the New Millennium, the Americans are paid usually higher than the private sector. Thus you are seeing the backlash in America! Americans are tired of seeing Public Servants making tremendous amounts of money, dictating a very socialistic system, then reaping great pension plans and retirement plans, while at the same time, like you, advocating for higher taxes, and that the burden of their lifestyle should be placed on the backs of the American private sector worker.Third: Unions do not have the same type of political power in Europe as in the United States. I don't mean to say that Unions in Europe are powerless, far from it. European Workers' Unions are more focused on workers rights, and are far from the political machines that they are in the United States, and far from influencing political elections as they do in the U.S.Fourth: It is ignorant to claim that there is less racism, bigotry or discrimination in Germany, or any other European Union Nation-State. You just don't have a clue what you are talking about. It is far worse, and steeped in hundreds of years of history. A more recent "discrimination" is against the former East German citizens, and somewhat rightfully so. These Germans have a much different work ethic as compared to their former West German citizens. The education standard in former East Germany was much different also, as compared to the West, as it was in all former Soviet bloc Nation-States. These flaws with these citizens will still take decades to overcome.Fifth: I am not an illegal alien in Germany, I have a short term work visa, and am now in the process of getting a two year residence visa. I pay taxes to my own Nation, of which I had an option to do when I first came over here in January, because it was undecided how long I would be here, (Still is) this could change, and I could end up paying taxes here in Germany.Sixth: The night before last, I met with two very prominent attorneys for dinner and drinks, and a Cologne City Council member. We got to talking about a number of political issues, including unemployment in Germany, and specifically the unemployment of the Turks and Russians. I am correct Sir, you are mistaken, but I have no documentation to support that. Moreover, as a side note, the prisons are predomiately filled with Turks, Gypsies and Russians. Very few Germans occupy German prison cells, it is less than ten percent. And you are so ignorant to think that there is no discrimination, stereotypes, or bigotry over here? Ignorance is bliss.....Moe? The rest of your message once again demonstrates your ignorance. Have you ever been to Europe?Finally, and most importantly, "We", (meaning Americans) are not Europeans! We are not Europe! Unlike you, who once again, seems to be oblivious to our history, our tenets, our princicpals, our Constitution, and what literally made our Nation great, Americans have no desire to live in a Nation or a continent like Europe! It is by no means anywhere near to America, and most Europeans would give their left testicle (or ovary) to come to America, even those who are living a very comfortable life! Most Germans that I discuss politics with are very much wanting to see America exert itself against the communist/socialist/bolshivek movements here in the Western Europe, as well as the onslaught of Islam.Moe, you have no clue of what you talk about. Literally.
On Thu, Jun 9, 2011 at 2:21 PM, Moe <coatesmoe@gmail.com> wrote:
Keith lives in Germany because he has Medical care which he can
afford.
He knows when he wakes up the leaders in Germany have learned from 2
wars not to start another war just for oil.
The rich pay taxes in Germany.
The conservatives know enough to know if they push too hard the people
will come out on to the streets.
Unions are still allowed.
Very limited racial hate.
No bible toten preacher treating to burn the Koran.
No Palin, Carl Rove, No George Bush.
Education does not mean a life time of debt.
People do not fear when their boss walks into the room.
No crazy radio talk show host spitting out hatred.
No Fox News.
On 9 Jun., 04:08, studio <tl...@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Keith In Köln please explain how it is you're a US citizen, but work
> in Germany?
>
> Please explain how Germany has socialized medicine, socialized
> schools, AND zero unemployment?
>
> Ladies and gentlemen, you're about to read some very fancy BS from a
> conservative.... who just happens to work in a very socialized country
> and pays taxes to them also.
>
> Oh please Keith, enlighten us poor souls about the advantages Germany
> affords you.
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